HOV restrictions lifted this morning

Good morning, Washington! Tuesday's commute was another hectic one -- road closures, anti-terrorism drills on the Metro, MARC and Metro delays. Let's see if Wednesday is any easier on commuters. Check back here throughout the morning rush hour for the latest traffic information.

8:55 A.M. UPDATE:

-- An accident on I-66 East at Chain Bridge Road is blocking the right center lane and right lane.

-- I-495 North is still pretty slow heading towards I-66, and I-66 East is still pretty slow heading towards the Beltway.

8:35 A.M. UPDATE:

-- I-495 North is still very slow heading towards I-66.

-- The southbound right off-ramp from New Hampshire Avenue to Piney Branch Road remains closed.

8:15 A.M. UPDATE:

-- I-66 West is backed up at Sycamore Street in Arlington.

-- I-495 North is still congested at I-66.

7:50 A.M. UPDATE:

-- I-495 North is jammed at I-66, which is not unexpected but still troublesome.

-- I-66 East is also still slow at Chain Bridge Road.

7:25 A.M. UPDATE:

-- Major headaches remain on I-66 East at Chain Bridge (big congestion) and I-495 North at Gallows Road (ditto).

7:05 A.M. UPDATE:

-- The southbound right off-ramp from New Hampshire Avenue to Piney Branch Road remains closed.

-- A tractor trailer accident on I-95 North/the Beltway at Telegraph Road is blocking the north right shoulder.

-- Bad congestion is starting to form on the southwest corner of the Beltway -- I-495 North is slowing down at Gallows Road.

6:45 A.M. UPDATE:

-- I-66 East is still pretty crowded at Chain Bridge Road.

6:20 A.M. UPDATE:

-- The H.O.V. restrictions have been lifted on I-395 and I-95 for this morning's commute, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. This stems from the early morning accident on I-395 North at Edsall Road, which already caused delays as the morning rush got underway.

-- The right shoulder on I-395 North has reopened.

-- The off-ramp from New Hampshire Avenue remains blocked.

-- I-66 East is already packed at Chain Bridge Road.

ORIGINAL POST:

-- An accident earlier this morning blocked the northbound lanes of I-395 North at Edsall Road, the Post's Jeannine Hunter reported. It is now only blocking the right shoulder.

-- A disabled vehicle on I-495 North at Gallows Road is also blocking the right shoulder.

-- A utility problem is blocking the southbound right off-ramp from New Hampshire Avenue to Piney Branch Road.